Welcome to Year in Eater 2020, Eater’s annual ritual of tributes over the past 12 months. In the last days of 2020, Eater NY will be asking questions about the New York restaurant scene over the past year, with answers from food writers, photographers, chefs, restaurants, entrepreneurs, and even some local lawmakers who have helped support the industry through this. very difficult year. Now, we ask: What was your best restaurant meal in 2020, pick up or eat?
Kat Kinsman, senior editor, Food & Wine: I’m not sure if that’s true, because it was a random treat, but Ari Miller brought a bunch of Frizwit cheese steaks from Philly to feed a bunch of us who were cleaning a restaurant and they turned my knees. Locally there is a restaurant called Domo Taco where I ordered from and have never been. There was an evening on my own for dinner and I sat at my coffee table with their Japanese nacho bowls, pork tacos with spices and frozen margarita while watching the whole of The End of the F *** ing World. like a human being for the first time in a while.
Keith Powers, NYC Board member: I ate less this year, but I had a really good dinner at Oiji in the East Village and good winter cocktails at Huts, a new pop-up on the Upper East Side.
Clay Williams, food photographer and co-founder of Black food people: My wife and I only had two opportunities to go to the closing. The one time at Gramercy Tavern and the other one for our anniversary in Haenyeo – both were amazing and made us miss ‘real’ dining out. In addition, we did meals from Oxalis and Jeepney, which were wonderfully extensive and felt very special.
Tae Yoon, NYC Editor, Thrillis: There’s a grilled chicken dish – the Pollo Nanni il Valetto – from Mark’s Off Madison that I’re still thinking about. It comes with this roux / sauce which is absolutely divine. I can take it for breakfast.
Priya Krishna, food writer and author of the best-selling cookbook Indian-like: In January, Woldy Reyes and Lani Halliday held a Kamayan party at Ferris where all the food was put on a long table and eaten together. I met so many wonderful people, and all the food was so bright and vibrant. When I think of meals that remind me of the joy of eating out, I think of the one.
Victoria Lee, co-founder of non-profit organizations Welcome to Chinatown: Jing Fong’s dim sum is the best it’s ever been. They also have a Jasmine Tea Lager imported from China, which is only available there. Picking up Jing Fong is an important part of our team leadership meetings.
Brad Hoylman, New York state senator: The Thanksgiving dinner set at Loring Place was phenomenal. The turkey was perhaps the softest I have ever eaten, and the pecan was really memorable.
JJ Johnson, Chief and Founder, Fieldtrip: My birthday dinner with Tren’ness Woods-Black and Nikoa Evans at Le Bernardin.
Connie Chung, chef and co-owner of Milu: Red Hook Tavern. We were planning to go and the stars never quite stayed in line for our time and reservation. But because of COVID they started delivering and we seized the opportunity. Incredible burgers, delivery or otherwise! And truly delicious salads to match it, to at least make the meal “feel” healthier, ha!
Gary He, author and photographer, author of Astrolabe newsletter: Momofuku Co-meals in the early stages. They offered their tasting menu at half the normal price, just with the hits, and it completely destroyed my body and made me forget for a few hours this rubbish fire of a year.
Mimi Sheraton, food writer, critic and cookbook author: A few mashed dishes with labels and perfect oysters at Beatrice Inn.
Nikita Richardson, senior staff editor, NEW Kos: A month or so ago I was sitting in the freezing cold enjoying the most delicious Mexican meal I had in Wildair in a very long time, thanks to Fabián von Hauske Valtierra and his occasional pop-ups The Güeros. That Milanese torta, my god.
Emma Orlow, author of the New York Times, Bon Appétit en Eater: Dine with friends I last saw at the outdoor setup at Buddha Bodai. Also, all the picnic-and-after-meals I had in the park this summer felt especially joyful.
Vanessa Pham, co-founder, Omsom: Never thought I would say that … but they were tater tots. But no old tater. The honey butter pots with labneh and seaweed seasonings from Nowon in the East Village, are to die for. Go there for the tuts and bumpin ‘hip hop, stay for the decadent Korean-inspired soul food.
Eric Adams, Borough President of Brooklyn: I like the turmeric stew at Ital Kitchen CC.
Carlina Rivera, NYC Board member: Atoboy was a wonderful outdoor experience. As for the takeaway, early in the pandemic I was definitely looking for comfort food like most people. I was especially a fan of the delicious spread of Pinks Cantina, with a chopped cheese burrito and loaded quesadilla that were definitely repeated favorites.
Joanne Kwong, president of the NYC institution Pearl River Mart and Pearl River Mart Foods: My best restaurant meal was not exactly about the food, although it is delicious, but rather a feeling of comfort. Our first family-outside experience in the family was at City Diner on the Upper West Side. Since my kids were little, we went to Chinese school every Sunday for a brunch, and we regularly bumped into friends and neighbors. During the spring and summer, my kids said they could not wait until the pandemic was over so we could return to our usual routine of eating there every weekend. It was so nice when we were finally able to return in October. And we have been eating there every weekend ever since!
Adam Friedlander, freelance photographer for the New York Times, Ether, etc .: This is the hardest question to answer … I would say that a meal that got me excited was at Tong. I tried flavors, different from what I experienced. The goi neu (meat tartare in Isan style) and yum pla duk fu (baber salad) blew me away. Bonus points for literally being across from my apartment!
Note: Some answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.